Tokyo, Adachi Ward.
Deep in the forest, inside a derelict temple.
Minagoroshi Jizō, clad in a beige monk's robe with an elongated head and a face that exuded cunning, sat before a headless Buddha statue, idly stroking the worn-out wooden fish in front of it.
Just as Minagoroshi Jizō ran his hand over the wooden fish, a male voice slowly spoke:
"So, Mother has broken free from that vessel's constraints?"
"From the looks of it, yes."
Minagoroshi Jizō chuckled, showing no trace of his earlier frustration:
"It seems our plan has failed, Lord Seimei."
He was conversing with Abe no Seimei, who resided in Hell.
In this world, Hell was a peculiar realm.
It overlapped with the mortal world, sharing many borderlands, yet remained a domain only the dead and a select few could enter.
Due to this peculiarity, some scholars regard hell as an eternally fixed abyssal world, even asserting that if another powerful abyssal world were to descend, it would likely develop into a form similar to hell.
However, such theories currently find little support, with only a few minor sects in America giving them credence.
As for the secrets of Hell, Minagoroshi Jizō had no need to understand them.
Even though he was one of the rare yokai capable of communicating with the powerful entities of Hell and traversing between the two realms to a limited extent, it made no difference.
"Shall we reset the technique?" Minagoroshi Jizō now asked Abe no Seimei within hell.
Yet Seimei's response was indifferent:
"No need. It's merely a small bump on the road while driving."
"Once I am born into this world, all obstacles shall become hope."
"Even that Hao Asakura?"
Minagoroshi Jizō asked at an inopportune moment.
"I've received word from an information dealer that Hagoromo Gitsune seems to be gathering intelligence on Hao Asakura."
"You know as well as I do that this vessel of mine lacks significant combat power. Facing Hao would be impossible, let alone any of his subordinates."
"If Hagoromo Gitsune gains Hao's support, then we..."
"..."
In hell, Abe no Seimei fell silent. Only after a long pause did his voice return:
"Pay him no mind."
"...I see."
Minagoroshi Jizō couldn't fathom what confidence Abe no Seimei had to confront that Great Onmyoji who had cultivated for a thousand years. For him, as long as he could exact revenge on Nura Rihan—who had destroyed his physical form and split him into fragments—even if Seimei died, it would be a death of value.
"Hagoromo Gitsune expended her power to create an adult body for herself. In that regard, she's actually helped us."
Hearing this, Abe no Seimei replied coolly:
"Nue's body can begin its gestation."
"Kukuku, indeed." Minagoroshi Jizō chuckled before adding, "But with the Hagoromo Group's current strength alone, it's impossible to safely deliver your body in this far-eastern island nation teeming with monsters and spirits."
"I have already notified Yoshihira. He will assist you."
At these words, Minagoroshi Jizō raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat pleased:
"The Gokadoin clan?"
"If we have their aid, then it's not entirely impossible for Hagoromo Gitsune to safely deliver your body."
"However, we must be wary of those two old enemies."
"The Nura Clan and the Kadenokōji family? Hah, they're nothing more than insects."
"In that case, leave them to me."
Minagoroshi Jizō spoke thus, and Abe no Seimei offered no objection. After a few more brief exchanges, their communication concluded.
Once Abe no Seimei's consciousness returned to hell from the temple, Minagoroshi Jizō chuckled darkly:
"Kukuku... Nura Rihan... Nura Clan. It's about time to collect some interest."
Amidst his murmurs, Minagoroshi Jizō's figure vanished from the dilapidated temple.
...
Tokyo, Toshima Ward, Sugamo Prison.
Thud. Thud.
A stern-faced official addressed Gin and Vodka, both with close-cropped hair:
"Go straight after your release. Don't come back here again."
Gin remained silent with a dark expression, while Vodka beside him kept bowing in gratitude:
"Thank you, officer. We're really very grateful."
Only when the prison gates closed did Vodka turn to address Gin, who now sported an uncharacteristic crew cut:
"Let's go, boss. We finally got bailed out - no point staying angry."
Gin didn't respond, just stared pensively at the prison gates.
Truth be told, he'd never expected this.
His own subordinate!
Vodka!
Was actually the mole!
In the very duo specialised in eliminating moles - Gin and Vodka - one of them had turned out to be the traitor?
The absurdity of reality struck Gin deeply.
By protocol, he should eliminate Vodka. But the problem was... Gin himself had now become a mole too.
This was awkward.
Just as Gin remained silent, a woman's voice full of amusement sounded from behind:
"Seems like rushing over from America was quite worthwhile after all?"
Gin tilted his head slightly and immediately saw a woman he really didn't want to meet right now.
Sharon Vineyard, the American superstar, or rather, Vermouth from the organisation.
As Gin turned, Vermouth waved her mobile phone and said with a smile:
"Shall we take some photos as a keepsake?"
Gin's eyes instantly turned murderously fierce, as if ready to kill at any moment.
But in the end, he calmed down because without orders from That Person, Vermouth couldn't be killed yet.
After a moment's silence, Gin said:
"I've already joined the Hell Sect as per That Person's instructions."
That Person naturally referred to the true boss of The Distillery - Japan's wealthy magnate Karasuma Renya.
But since he disliked being addressed by name within the organisation and had no codename, members generally referred to him as That Person instead.
Hearing Gin's words, Vermouth put away her phone, took out a cigarette case, and calmly lit one for herself:
"I know. Without the Hell Sect's help, you wouldn't have gotten out so easily."
"Oh, by the way, because of your exposure, I'm effectively revealed in America, too. Heh, there are several investigative hounds tailing me now."
Frowning, Gin responded:
"There should be no records of our connections."
"No records doesn't mean no traces can be found," Vermouth blew a smoke ring. "Especially for that side of the world."
Gin fell silent at this. He belonged to the regular side of life. Though aware of the mystic side's existence, as a cleaner, he'd never needed to interact with it.
Had he not accidentally been imprisoned this time, That Person wouldn't have instructed him to join the Hell Sect as a liaison between them and the organisation, enabling his escape right under Japan's authorities' noses.
Thinking this, Gin said gravely:
"What instructions does That Person have for you to convey?"
Vermouth smiled at this:
"So eager to prove your loyalty?"
Gin's face remained stony.
Seeing this, Vermouth took a drag and said:
"The boss wants you to make yourself useful in the Hell Sect recently."
"Such as?" Gin felt distinctly uncomfortable at this - a loyal organisation member having to work for another group.
Vermouth smiled:
"Such as finding a way to join the SDS, especially its Hidden Management Department."